ABSTRACT
Stockholm, Sweden Contact dermatitis is a common problem in the general population and is the most prevalent occupational disease in dermatology [1-4]. The cause is often repeated exposure over time to a mild or low-grade irritant. Any skin site can be affected, but the dermatitis is most frequently located on the hands or face, or in intertriginous areas; it can be found in all age groups. The prevalence of hand eczema, for example, is approximately 10% in the general population [5] and is equally high in schoolchildren [6]. Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is considered to be more common than allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). However, combinations of the two are often seen in clinical practice, with constitutional factors also playing a role.
